Tag Archives: International academic librarians

Sarah P’s comments: I do not personally know anywhere who has been employed here but here the Glassdoor reviews which are generally positive. FYI: This is the third position they have posted this year.

Posted:

08/29/2017

Application Due:

09/26/2017

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of Librarian, User Engagement in the Sidney Martin Library (SML), at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados:

The successful candidate is also expected to possess excellent oral and written communication skills and effective interpersonal skills.

The successful applicant will be expected to assume duties as soon as possible.

Detailed applications (two copies) giving full particulars of qualifications, experience and biodata and three (3) signed up-to-date referee reports should be sent as soon as possible to The Assistant Registrar (Human Resources), The University of the West Indies, P.O. Box 64, Bridgetown, Barbados, BB11000. Fax (246) 417-0330; Email: humanresources@cavehill.uwi.edu. If your first and higher degrees were obtained from different Universities, please provide a referee report from each University and one referee should be a member of your present organization. A Job Application Pack is available from our website: www.cavehill.uwi.edu/hr/careers.aspx

9.9.17 – UPDATE: this position has been filled. Yes, it is sudden but this can happen with international positions. Positions are filled, not filled, look like they will be filled and then aren’t, and so on. It is a vague business at best. Why? Well, that could be a long discussion as there is not a simple answer to this question. Bottom line: be prepared for vagueness…and please share news such as Sam did – who was asked to share this position and only just learned himself that it was filled – and also Samantha who wrote to let readers know it has been filled.

Sarah P’s comments: It’s been the summer of people sharing positions…which is a good development. This one is from librarian, Sam Crawford, who has helpfully included information and a willingness to be contacted. This should be applauded – both by institution administrators as well as librarians – as it helps everyone to find the ‘right’ librarian for the job.

Northern Marianas College (NMC) is currently hiring for the position of Archivist. Located on the island of Saipan — the largest municipality within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) — Northern Marianas College is a land-grant institution accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC). Among other duties and activities, this full-time, permanent position will oversee the CNMI Archives. The position entails working with a wide range of people across the campus and island community, helping lead an exciting multi-year project to establish the CNMI Archives as the official ‘state’ archives for this U.S. territory.

NOTE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES / APPLICANTS: Feel free to reach out to me directly for more information (samuel.crawford@marianas.edu); I am currently the Academic Librarian at Northern Marianas College, and I am more than happy to answer questions about the job, the College, and/or the island(s). Life out here is pretty different from the U.S. mainland, but it is uniquely rewarding. This is truly an amazing opportunity for any information professional with a taste for adventure and/or a bent towards archival work overseas…

There is a vacancy for a Business Librarian at the University of Oxford (Bodleian Libraries) to lead and manage information services in the fields of business, management and finance at the highest level. Responsible for the development of innovative, user-focused services, provision of information resources and the management of library staff, the Bodleian Business Librarian is a key member of the Saïd Business School and the Bodleian Libraries, and works to ensure that the Sainsbury Library is widely regarded as a leading library among top and emergent business schools.

The current incumbent is retiring after 9 years in the role during which time the Library has made significant advancements in: expanding access to research resources; the online dissemination of the School’s research outputs; new approaches to instructional support and a number of improvements to the library study environments. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build upon this work and develop new services to meet current challenges and emerging needs.

Sarah P’s comments: This is definitely the most positions I have ever seen posted at one time for USP. When I lived in the region (Marshall Islands), USP was touted as the best college to work for. That still may be the case, but be careful to read the reviews and think about whether living and working in this area is for you. That is not to say that the South Pacific is better or worse than any other region in the world, just that every place has its challenges. I’m a sailor and ocean person, so I enjoyed my time but lack of AC can do a lot of people in…Fiji Expat Forum ReviewUSP: About SuvaDaily Living in Suva, Fiji

Sarah P’s comments: A follower and librarian at Zayed wrote to tell me this position is open. It was last listed in 2016 however now the title ‘Outreach Focus’ has been added so it might be a new position. Zayed University has been considered one of the better colleges to work for in the UAE however in recent years their reputation has slipped a bit. They have always had sporadic hiring practices; interviewing then no communication, it appearing that a job is likely and then no contract, etc.

Dubai is a new, crazy city with lots of traffic but it is interesting and the Emirates remain a safe to live. Be prepared for more expats than Arab nationals and watch the low oil prices because this is affecting the economy.

Sarah P’s comments: This job was originally listed on 5/29 along with a Research & Instruction position. It is a position with a fairly new university (2013), formed as a partnership between Duke University in the USA and Wuhan University in China. They’re hiring quite a few positions so it would seem they are expanding. Here is more info:Wikipedia articleChronicle of Higher Education article

The Acquisition and Description Librarian’s position at Duke Kunshan University Library has been slightly revised with a new application deadline (Aug. 31). Please feel free to share the following posting link to anyone who is interested in working at a top joint-venture University in China:

Duke Kunshan University is a partnership of Duke University, Wuhan University and the Municipality of Kunshan, China (https://dukekunshan.edu.cn). The DKU campus is 37 miles west of Shanghai in Kunshan, and is connected to Shanghai via an 18-minute high-speed train and a subway-light rail train system. DKU provides competitive compensation, benefits, and start-up packages.

Sarah P’s comments: A former PCC Library Director has asked me to post this position which is always a positive. I am including his helpful comments below. I would add that, having worked in the region (Marshall Islands), Palau is considered a ‘jewel in the crown’ and the diving is fantastic. However, what is really interesting is the opportunity to serve as both an academic and a public librarian. Yes, the salary is low by international standards but, with housing provided and two months off, it is very fair for the region.

David: Although an academic library in name, the PCC Library is also a public library; it supports the public as well as the PCC academic community. People from the community visit the library because it has the largest collection in the country. In addition to college students, the library serves children at the end of their school day and older people who come daily to sit in the air conditioning and read the newspapers. The director position is an opportunity to participate hands-on in all aspects of library work–administration, acquisition and collection development, technical services, and public services.

The school administration does not mettle or micro-manage but appreciates a director who moves the library’s mission and goals forward. However, they are always there for suggestions and support. In Palau, it seems like you often don’t receive how-to information that you could use to navigate a particular situation until after the situation is over–however, rest assured that you’re then well armed for the next time it happens! The library staff is very experienced, with many of them having completed the associate’s degree in library science that is offered at PCC. They keep things sailing smoothly. They particularly look to the director to be the final decision maker, a “policeman” at times with the students, a negotiator on their behalf with the administration when necessary, and a library professional with a vision of the “big picture” and maybe a new approach or two. A major responsibility of the director is to prepare the library section of the accreditation self-study, which is due, I believe, every three years. (PCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the United States.) This report isn’t as difficult as it sounds since there are examples to follow and the necessary statistics are collected regularly by the staff. Library funds are always a challenge; there is an annual grant, and the director is encouraged to creatively pursue other grant possibilities.

The school typically hires a librarian who holds a degree from an ALA-accredited program because this satisfies their accreditation requirements. Although the salary is low by many standards, it’s about 3 times the average salary in Palau. In addition to the salary, housing is provided, as well as a monthly stipend toward electricity costs, freeing up money for savings or new experiences.

Palau is a great mix of ocean beauty, ancient culture and traditions, and emerging country. Koror is a small community of a few thousand people, a mingling of Palauans, Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, and those of other nationalities. A group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau has average temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius (77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. Although touted for its diving (and justifiably so!), Palau’s waters can equally be enjoyed through snorkeling, kayaking, swimming … or picnicking on the shore. Palau is not a beach paradise; most of its shorelines are covered in mangroves. But, there are beaches here and there around the islands.

My greatest dislikes: slow Internet … only two department stores. My greatest likes: friendships formed with locals as well as other expats from places I’d never even been … the amazing sunsets and starry skies.

Salary: $18,730- $33,262 PER ANNUM (depending on qualifications and work experience). Benefits include health and life insurance, 10/2 annual work schedule (10 months on and 2 months paid) off, and paid relocation expenses. Housing provided.

Summary of Description:

Palau Community College seeks an experienced librarian to manage and direct library services. PCC is located in the Republic of Palau in the Western Pacific region and is an accredited post-secondary vocational and academic institution serving all of Micronesia. PCC Library is an academic library serving the needs of Palau Community College students and supporting distance-learning programs at the bachelors and masters degree level. The Library also serves community patrons of all ages, functions as repository for international documents, and features a Micronesia Pacific special collection. The Library supports the PCC Library & Information Services Associates Degree programs. This position is a unique opportunity for an experienced librarian to share expertise in library services and to serve as a leader in Palau’s library community.

Examples of Duties consist, but are not limited to:

Provide professional library services to the College and its clients, including but not limited to: Assist individuals and groups in obtaining library materials; maintain and update the library’s circulating and reference collections with general and technical print resources, serial publications, multimedia resources and electronic resources. Manage collection development, including selecting and ordering, and new resources. Supervise and provide assistance in cataloging, indexing, and technical services. Communicate information and market library services to students, faculty, administration and the public. Plan and organize library activities, programs, instruction services, and special events. Prepare the library budget and manage allocated funds. Manage and expand grant programs. Direct and supervise all aspects of library services, staff, and activities. Develop reports and communicate library success and needs as appropriate. Train, supervise and provide support to a team of library technicians, assistants and student workers. Take an active role in supporting the Library & Information Services degree program and provide input for program activities and planning. Participate in College committees and engage in College functions and activities. Serve as a leader and role model to the local library community through the Palau Association of Libraries and librarian training activities. Perform other duties as directed by the College.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

A master’s in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program, or international equivalent; a minimum of two years of experience in an academic or public library, with one year of supervisory experience; must be able to work with a team, as a leader; must have the ability to supervise, motivate, and inspire co-workers; must have strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of five years of experience in an academic or public library, with two years of supervisory experience; working knowledge of library administration, planning, and budget management; demonstrated success in library leadership; teaching and instruction experience preferred; grant writing and grant management experience highly valuable; Web development and computer troubleshooting skills an advantage; knowledge of Pacific cultures and familiarity with Pacific information resources a plus.

General information:

Application forms may be obtained from the Human Resources Office or at the college website: http://pcc.palau.edu/about/jobs/. Send completed application, resume and transcripts to: P.O. Box 9, Koror, PW 96940 (copies of transcripts will be sufficient during review process, but official transcripts and a recent police clearance will be required prior to any issued or offered contract). For further information, call 680-488-2470 x 227, or visit the HRD office on campus or email hr@palau.edu .